MP3 Interview - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dave-woods/2009/03/24/Interview.mp3
Having met Michala (pronounced: MI KAY LA) at her CD release party Dave Woods invited this young and very pretty lady to join him on the phone a year last March. At the time this Pop/Rock/AC singer from Tottenham, Ontario was just 15 years old and she can how add “songwriter” to her CV it seems.
Dave asked what the build up was like for the Release Party and then for it to take place.
“It was so amazing I was doing so much to prepare for it and it was great to see it all pay off and everyone enjoyed the show, all the hard work paid off” said a thrilled Michala.
Going back to when Michala first started singing we heard that she was really shy and her parents decided to enrol her for singing lessons to bring out her confidence more and do public speaking. Through that she found a talent and a real joy in singing.
In recent years she has been training with vocal coaches. Starting with The Modern Conservatory of Music for 5 years and then moved onto private vocal coaching in Toronto for 2 years. Then she met up with a local established musician, guitarist George Scott from her area in a Groundswell Coffee shop in Alliston on an at an open mic night singing with his daughter Nicole. He asked her if she ever wanted anyone to accompany her he would always be there, which he has.
“At what point did you get involved doing musicals” asks Dave.
“ In Tottenham there’s not really a lot, there’s local theatres in Orangeville and Barrie, I really love acting and dancing too so it brings it all together , I started doing plays when I was 8” she shares. Dave continues “You were the star and you were Snow White?” Michala laughs and adds “No I was the Prince, it was like an all girls play”
Other musicals she was involved with were Bye Bye Birdie, Copacabana, Once upon a Mattress and Cinderella. Regarding the latter she played the lead role!
Dave wondered how the experience of musicals and singing compares to performing on her solo shows. “Acting is a bit different, you’re not playing yourself, it’s still a great experience to feel comfortable in front of an audience” she shares.
One of her influences is Kate Voegele and Dave asked why she particularly looked up to her. Michala explains “I think through all of her fame since she started out, she’s stayed true to herself, despite the publicity she hasn’t really changed, her songs are amazing and she writes all the music”. Kate is with MySpace Records . Through the myspace network Michala has reached people all over the world and got feedback on her songs. Interestingly she said that record companies are using myspace when looking for talent. Michala’s site really looks very professional and is well worth checking out. Michael van de Velde from The Netherlands has designed both her Myspace and Official Web Sites. At the time of this interview Michala had just started to learn the guitar and quite nervously played it on one of her songs for the first time at the Release Party. Her plan is to accompany herself in the future.
Before playing the song ‘Tongue Tied’ Dave asked her about the writers and what the song comprised of.
We learnt from her it was written by artist/songwriter/producer John Acosta along with music legend producer/songwriter Cyril Rawson. This catchy upbeat electronic fused song has a pop/rock style, something that is aimed at her age group which they can relate with. This fun number puts them in a great mood – “I love it, its one of my favourite songs on the album” says Michala. Dave complimented her on the excellent production and the musical radio hooks on this track.
A special message was read out from Rob Moody from artistinsights who has helped to get some publicity out for her, describing Michala as “a true talent with a big future”
Dave asked her to enlighten us on what it was like for her going into the studio for the first time for the CD project. The first song cut was ‘What's So Wrong With Love’ at Rouge Valley Studio’s in Toronto - “I was a little nervous but it was a great experience”
Michala completed this full song in 3 to 4 hours but it proved to be a “lot of fun” whilst getting used to everything.
Dave asked what it was like working with Cyril Rawson. She said he was “so amazing, great to work with” and really good with her. When they first met he presented her with a CD full of songs, which Michala sampled to see which ones she liked. Choosing 5 they did a run through which gave Cyril an indication as to the sound and genre that best suited her style. From that standpoint Cyril and John Acosta wrote the songs specifically with Michala in mind to add a personal touch. She revealed that ’Me’ was the first single sent to radio; this upbeat dance track was being played on 14 stations. Some key HMV stores had placed Michala’s debut album on their shelves which was thrilling for her. When she had the CD in her hands for the first time she said is was “amazing” and she loved how the package was presented. Quite some accomplishment for a 15 year old!
Dave asked a few quick-fire fun “In The Country” questions:
Favourite concert – Answer Hilary Duff, the only concert she had been too but was hoping to see Miss Taylor Swift!
Favourite Time Of Year – “I don’t like the cold” so answer was “Summer, cos’ it’s hot, I like to go swimming and stuff”
Favourite animal – Answer “I love dogs we have a dog, his name is Chico, he’s a Shih-poo.
Favourite Country to Visit - Answer “Australia, it looks so nice down there”
We then got hear ‘Everything Goes With Goodbye’ her first ballad she recorded – “I love singing ballads, you can show your emotions and feelings in them and shows a different side of me” she imparts. This break-up song describes the feeling of the sadness you have at the time, something you have to get through but look to brighter things ahead. A song every age group can connect with. This is a quite wonderful recording. Her vocal shows a maturity way beyond her tender years, a song to wrap yourself up in with words When I Think About You Leaving / I Have Trouble Breathing. I adore this track and hope to hear much more of this beautiful high class fare. When Michala sings softly she has such a lovely voice that makes you melt.
Michala had a trip to Nashville due, attending a 2 day song writing conference and meeting with a new team of writers to start co-writing her songs. Shows pending included a huge Gala at the Gibson Centre in Alliston with a local artist from Brampton. Also taking part in Relay For Life and attending a DARE Officers' Graduation performing at the banquet at Alymer in Ontario. Previously to this as the only Canadian Michala was placed second in an online music contest. As part of Tour America hosted by Patricia Murray, she sang in Washington, D.C with other contestants from the competition back in November 2008, at a benefit concert.
“When I perform, I see all the smiling faces from people in the audience, and that makes me feel so wonderful - that I have an opportunity to share my voice with people” she relates on a website.
Michala was really excited at this time and I hope she came bring us up to date on a future blogtalkradio show.
Website - http://www.michalatodd.com/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/michalatodd
Reverbnation - http://www.reverbnation.com/michalatodd
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michala-Todd/41571528141
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/michalatodd
CD Baby - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michalatodd
iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/michala-todd/id304365936
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